[Added 12-4-2018]
[Added 8-5-2025 by Ord. No. 25-82]
The purpose of the Small Dwelling Overlay District is to allow the use of larger historic buildings to create additional housing within the Village Centers Districts.
Residential buildings eligible for conversion into small dwelling unit buildings must have been constructed prior to or in 1925. Additions are allowed but cannot increase the size of the building by more than 25%, and the additions need to meet all underlying zoning space standards. Commercial buildings and residential buildings built after 1925 cannot be used for conversion to small dwelling unit buildings.
The standard residential density for the lot is based on the underlying zoning district's space standards. Lot owners located in the overlay district are allowed to convert the standard residential density to small dwelling units based on the below formula:
A. 
One-bedroom apartment: 1/3 of a dwelling unit.
B. 
Two-bedroom apartment: 2/3 of a dwelling unit.
C. 
Three- or more bedroom apartment: one dwelling unit.
A. 
Existing structures and lots that could support and meet the required performance standards for additional small dwelling units may add dwelling units as identified under Part 1, Article 1-18, Development Transfer Overlay District, § 300-1.101, Performance standards, Subsection A, Development transfer fee and calculations.
B. 
Fee-based calculation:
(1) 
One-bedroom apartment: 1/3 of a bonus unit fee.
(2) 
Two-bedroom apartment: 2/3 of a bonus unit fee.
(3) 
Three- or more bedroom apartment: one full bonus unit fee.
[Amended 8-5-2025 by Ord. No. 25-82]
A. 
Conversion of existing buildings into small dwelling unit structures must meet the following requirements:
(1) 
One-bedroom or studio apartment: one parking space.
(2) 
Two-bedroom apartment: 1.5 parking spaces.
(3) 
Three- or more bedroom apartment: two parking spaces.
B. 
Half parking spaces are required to be rounded up to the next full number. Parking is not allowed within the front yard setback as identified in the underlying zoning district, or no portion of the lot between the street to the front building line shall be used for off-street parking.
The conversion of existing buildings into multiple small dwelling units shall be subject to review and approval under the provisions of Part 3, Subdivision, and Part 4, Site Plan Review. The conversion also must meet all the requirements under Part 2, General Standards of Performance, except it is not required to meet the standards under Article 2-4, § 300-2.28, Performance standards for multifamily housing.
Structures are required to be connected to public water and sewer meeting the requirements of the Portland Water District and the Town of Gorham.